Fireworks dangers

I was horrified to read in The Times that "the government and Malta's MEPs are arguing that fireworks manufactured on a non-commercial basis for use in Maltese village feasts should be exempted from the (EU) directive and should remain regulated by Maltese law".

Each year the Munxar, Gozo festa organisers let off fireworks close to the Sannat school. On Monday after the festa the school has to be closed for half a day so the police can search for unexploded petards in the grass and grounds next to the kindergarten classes. They usually pick up about half a bag of unexploded petards. Both Munxar and Sannat parents are horrified to send their children to school when this danger still lurks. Some of these petards are very unstable.

When I highlighted this issue to a police officer he pointed out that as long as the fireworks are let off more than 200 metres away from the school, the fireworks organisers have a right to do so.

Why do we have to expose our children and their parents to such a terrible risk? Who is going to take responsibility if a child gets blown to bits in the school?

Well, it is clear that votes come before safety! I am not sure how politicians are able to face the families of victims after accidents occur. In Sannat, two fireworks factories have exploded killing family men and damaging a lot of property.